I know I am late to the game but this series is so good that it is worth talking about… Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop is a charming, from-the-hip sci-fi series that was released during the shutdown period of COVID when we were hungrily consuming as much on-demand media as we could (partly because what else would we do… read??). But nearly 2 years later, during a writer’s and actor’s strike that either has delayed or straight up halted new content, I am rewatching the series because… I’ve watched everything else (worth watching). And it does not disappoint.
This live action version of the original anime received mixed reviews. Many say it didn’t live up to its animated origins which has been hailed as one of the best anime series of all time. The original Japanese neo-noir space Western anime television series aired on TV Tokyo and Wowow from 1998 to 1999. And like the original, Netflix’s live action is set in the year 2071 and follows the lives of a traveling bounty-hunting crew aboard a spaceship, the Bebop.
Whether you enjoy the live action treatment or not (I did), viewers will surely be charmed by the talented cast. John Cho as Spike Spiegel is charming with his deadpan humor and fast action martial arts (we got a taste of his moves in his role in Star Trek). And I thoroughly enjoy Cho’s banter with Mustafa Shakir’s character, Jet Black, the captain of the Bebop. Shakir’s presence is real and understated despite his immense stature. And I’d be remised not to mention Daniella Pineda’s lovable yet take-no-shit role as Faye Valentine, a bounty hunter that first is a thorn in the duo’s side but later becomes a part of the crew.
The scene design in Cowboy Beebop is a delightful and imaginative feast; a vibrant mix of influences that seamlessly blend elements from various cultures and eras, creating a visually captivating and eclectic world. Within the sci-fi genre, it stands out for its fun and campy approach, adding a refreshing and playful dimension that defies traditional sci-fi conventions.
Unfortunately, a bit of a buzz kill, the show was canceled. Firefly, The Expanse